Aviation Safety

Its that time of year when the IFR pilots primary aviation weather concern finally shifts completely from thunderstorms to airframe icing. Even if weve been forced to consider both hazards on the same flight, we probably can leave the thunderbumpers by the wayside for a few months. In truth, we should always be concerned about airframe icing, depending on the altitudes at which were flying. But winters onset doesnt mean airframe icing is the only operational concern we might face. In last months issue, Mike Gugeler tackled the topic of runways contaminated by rain, snow, slush, ice or a some evil combination. This month he serves up a detailed discussion on preheating. As Mike demonstrates, thinking about the whole airplanes preheating needs is not just a good idea, its also a significant safety consideration.

The airplane impacted a dense stand of trees at approximately 1000 Pacific time, about 1.5 miles northwest of the approach end of runway 10 at the Bayview-Skagit Regional Airport. The private pilot and his two passengers received fatal injuries; the aircraft was destroyed by the impact and post-crash fire. At the time of the accident, the pilot was attempting a GPS approach. He had already attempted one approach, but had executed a missed approach procedure and was making a second attempt. When he was attempting the approaches, the reported ceiling was 100 feet overcast, the visibility was mile, and the temperature/dew point spread was zero degrees.

At 1445 Pacific daylight time, the airplane collided with terrain while participating in the Reno Air Races at the Reno-Stead Airport. The private pilot and sole occupant sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed. According to witnesses, the airplane rounded a pylon in a left bank. It then rolled right, became inverted and impacted the ground at high speed.

The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing about 1445 Eastern time after it experienced a loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The private pilot and sole occupant was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The accident flight was the first for the airplane in two years. Earlier, the accident pilot attempted a takeoff. The airplane became airborne momentarily; however, the pilot aborted the takeoff, because he felt the engine “miss.” The owner and accident pilot subsequently sumped the fuel tanks and discovered water in all four of them. After draining the fuel system, the accident pilot again took off.

At 2015 Central time, the airplane made an emergency landing in a parking lot, colliding with cars and receiving substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed. The airline transport pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. The pilot stated he observed all four fuel gauges were between the and full position during his pre-flight inspection and that he believed the airplane had been topped off prior to its last flight. After takeoff and as the airplane was leveling at FL210, the pilot happened “to look at the two left gauges and noticed that they were practically empty.” He diverted but, while on short final, the left engine “quit” first, followed immediately by the right engine.

The airplane crashed into a restaurant at about 1010 Eastern time and was destroyed by impact and a post-crash fire; the private pilot and sole occupant was fatally injured. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses near the crash site reported low clouds in the area and seeing the airplane emerge from them. The airplane was then observed banking right, then descending until it impacted a parking lot, then traveled into the restaurant where an explosion was heard.

At about 1455 Eastern time, the airplane was ditched in the Ohio River. Visual conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot received fatal injuries; the airplane was substantially damaged. Earlier, before takeoff, the pilot added four quarts of oil to the engine. Upon arrival at a second airport, he noted an oil leak and discovered the vacuum pump he had installed earlier in the day was installed incorrectly, causing the oil leak. He corrected the discrepancy and added more oil to the engine. He then took the airplane for a test flight and returned. The pilot then attempted the flight home.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage at 1000 Mountain time when it descended uncontrollably, struck trees and impacted terrain. Visual conditions prevailed. The solo student pilot was maneuvering in a low-lying area surrounded by trees. While making a right turn, the helicopter began to settle. The main rotor struck a tree and the helicopter impacted terrain.

During an attempted return to the departure point in response to an in-flight fire, the airplanes engine lost power and the pilot subsequently performed a wheels-up landing at approximately 0830 Mountain time in rough terrain one mile south of the airport. The airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated at 0815.

I bought my first airplane from the local Civil Air Patrol (CAP) squadron commander. I got a good deal, with one condition I thought was a privilege: I was to join the CAP and take part in their exercises and other duties. Soon enough, I was called out on an actual search and rescue mission. The previous day, four students at a local college left Buffalo, N.Y., flying south to near the Pennsylvania border where they were to drop leaflets on the rival college they were scheduled to play Saturday. The weather had been marginal with low clouds and snow flurries down the valley connecting the campuses. The airplane never returned.